How Cannabis Can Help With PTSD: Everything You Need to Know
If you’re looking to find out more about how cannabis can help with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll delve into the ways that cannabis works with the brain to calm PTSD and how CBD can help with PTSD symptoms. But first, let’s better understand what PTSD is and how it affects people.
What is PTSD?
For most of us, when we think of PTSD, we think of people who have been through scary, traumatic events. We think of war veterans who serve in faraway countries, victims of sexual violence, and people who’ve witnessed terrorist attacks and natural disasters. PTSD is a psychological disorder that happens when people experience or witness something traumatic.
Life with PTSD can be full of terror: flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks, and hypervigilance, which is an uneasy feeling that makes you hyper-aware of the world around you. At its worst, PTSD causes self-destructive behavior and can even lead to suicide. But, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Those with PTSD say cannabis is helping them manage their symptoms and take control of their lives. Now, let’s delve into the ways cannabis calms the mind and lets those with PTSD feel more at ease.
Can Cannabis Help With PTSD?
So, the question is: can cannabis really help with PTSD? And the answer is, yes, it can; and there are studies that prove the effectiveness of cannabis.
A recent article on Forbes.com references two different studies on cannabis and PTSD. The article gets down to the nitty gritty to explain how, exactly, people feel fewer PTSD symptoms with the use of cannabinoids. But the Forbes.com article isn’t the only one out there; there are tons of articles and studies in existence that talk about how cannabinoids can help with anxiety disorders like PTSD. Below, we’ll highlight three of the ways cannabis can help lessen PTSD symptoms.
Ways Cannabis Can Help
- By Calming the Brain’s Amygdala Response - A group of Wayne State University researchers got together with the knowledge that cannabis could reduce anxiety, but, at the time, there were no studies on cannabis and PTSD. So, the researchers sought out participants with PTSD and gave them either a dose of THC or a placebo. They found that the participants who were given a small dose of THC had less fear and anxiety during events that were meant to cause them fear or anxiety. This is all part of our brain’s amygdala response system.
- By Overturning Traumatic Memories - Researchers in Brazil wanted to see if they could get rid of the intense feelings surrounding the memory of a traumatic event with a process called “extinction learning.” In a typical brain, when a traumatic event occurs, people eventually stop associating things with the event. Have I confused you?
Here's an example: let’s say you get into a severe car accident, and the accident was caused by a speeding, red car. Once you heal and get back on the road, you may be afraid of red cars for a while, but eventually those feelings will dissipate and the association between red cars and trauma won’t be as prevalent. Until, eventually, red cars are just like blue cars, black cars, green cars, and your mind no longer associates red cars with trauma. But for someone with PTSD, the fear and anxiety around red cars doesn’t go away, it doesn’t lessen with time, it just stays there. The researchers found that THC and CBD use controls the brain’s anxiety response and can help overturn traumatic memories.
- By Filling the CB-1 Receptor - The brain uses CB-1 receptors which is part of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) to deactivate traumatic memories. This system plays a vital role in everyday functions like, pain, anxiety, sleep, apatite and inflammation. The problem is people with PTSD have an endocannabinoid deficiency, giving them increased levels of fear and anxiety. Researchers believe that cannabis can fill that void for people with PTSD, thereby reducing their anxiety.
Medical Marijuana for PTSD
People who have anxiety and, more specifically, PTSD, use medical marijuana for a bunch of different reasons. Maybe a sexual assault survivor uses cannabis to quell traumatic memories of the event; while a veteran of combat uses marijuana to calm an irritable/anxious mind. So, we know that people use medical marijuana to help with anxiety and PTSD, but does it actually help? What we know is that in the short term, marijuana is effective at getting rid of tension and reducing anxiety. A better solution for people with PTSD is CBD because CBD has the anxiety-soothing properties of medical marijuana, with 0.3% or less of THC, meaning it does not get you high or have any psychoactive effects.
CBD for PTSD
Now that we’ve discovered that CBD is a good way to help with PTSD, let’s explore a little bit more about what it is.
First of all, CBD is an active compound found in the cannabis plant that comes in a bunch of different forms like edibles, drops, capsules, and topicals. There are a ton of different products on the market that claim CBD as an ingredient - but, the truth is, not all CBD products are created equal, just like any other product in the world. That is why it is important to choose a brand you trust.
Either way, CBD is an effective aid for those with PTSD. Why? Let’s just reiterate. Researchers believe that taking CBD overrides the way someone with PTSD processes traumatic memory. We also know that cannabis, and CBD specifically, can help fill the CB-1 void found in those with PTSD. And, we know that CBD affects amygdala processing in the brain. So, your next question probably will be, “how do I get my hands on some quality CBD products?”
Can I buy CBD to help with my PTSD?
We thought you’d never ask! Yes, you can buy CBD to help with your PTSD, and we think you’ll really like Sonny’s Wellness CBD Soft Gels.
But first, here’s a little bit of information about using CBD capsules to help with PTSD symptoms.
Using CBD capsules to help with my PTSD.
CBD Soft Gel capsules are a good way to manage PTSD symptoms, and this is how we know: a 2019 study discovered that those with PTSD who used CBD capsules AND traditional therapeutic counseling had reduced symptoms of their PTSD. In other words, CBD capsules, plus therapy sessions, equal less PTSD symptoms, which is great news! And our customers truly rave about our CBD Soft Gels. If you’re trying to decide between capsules and our other products, capsules are preferred by people who don’t want the taste of an edible and who don’t want to put anything topically on their skin. Plus, our customers say the advantage of the capsule is that it gives them a consistent dose of CBD every time.
About Us
Sonny’s Wellness is committed to bringing you products that help you live a healthy, sustainable life. We’re also committed to a sustainable environment; our products and packaging are made with recyclable glass, compostable labels with plant-based ink, on 100% recycled paper.
Our Capsules
Our Soft Gels are made in the USA and come with 30 servings per bottle. They are the easiest way to get your daily dose of CBD and the perfect addition to your morning, day, or nighttime routine. They contain 25mg of CBD, along with multiple other cannabinoids, all packed into each Soft Gel, and are proudly sourced from farms in the USA. Our Soft Gels are a great way to achieve easy and consistent dosing of CBD.
We offer two different soft gel CBD capsules:
Full Spectrum CBD Soft Gels - 750mg
These soft gels are made with high-quality Natural Full Spectrum Distillate, proudly sourced from farms in the USA. They contain below the legal amount of THC, guaranteed through Third-Party Lab Testing and analysis.
Broad Spectrum CBD Soft Gels - 750mg
These soft gels are made with high-quality Natural Broad Spectrum Distillate, proudly sourced from farms in the USA. A Guaranteed THC-free product that is Third-Party Lab Tested for quality and potency.
We also have Vegan CBD options available on our website.
*The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.